Associate Manager, Payroll

Al Ain Sports & Cultural Club; Al Ain; On-site; AED 167,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Al Ain Sports & Cultural Club is seeking a skilled Payroll professional to own end-to-end payroll across all employee categories in the UAE. You will ensure accurate, on-time processing in line with internal policies and UAE regulations, while coordinating with HR for master data integrity.

The role covers month-end close, payroll accounting and reporting, WPS payment governance, and continuous improvements to automate and streamline payroll processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 3–7 years of HR and payroll operations experience with governance and reconciliation.
• Strong knowledge of UAE payroll practices and ERP/Excel proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll process across employee categories.
• Lead payroll month-end close, journals, and reconciliations.
• Oversee WPS/banking payments and controls.
• Ensure payroll data integrity with HR coordination.
• Drive process improvements and automation.

Skills

ERP payroll

Excel skills

UAE payroll compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Payroll Governance & Delivery

Own the end-to-end payroll process across all employee categories, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, on time, and in line with internal policies, UAE regulations, and contractual requirements. Manage HR policies and procedures to ensure that they are consistently applied across the organization.

Payroll Controls & Compliance

Implement and maintain robust payroll controls, including validation checks, approvals, audit trails, segregation of duties, and secure access management to safeguard the Club’s financial integrity.

Monthly Payroll Close & Reconciliations

Lead payroll month-end closing activities including payroll journals, reconciliation of payroll registers to GL, and resolution of variances to ensure clean and accurate financial records.

Payroll Accounting & Reporting

Ensure payroll accounting is correctly posted, allocated, and reported across departments, cost centres, and projects, supporting accurate financial reporting and cost transparency.

WPS / Banking Execution & Payment Governance

Oversee payroll payment execution through WPS/banking channels, ensuring maker-checker controls, authorisation limits, and secure release of payroll and related payments.

Employee Benefits, Deductions & Final Settlements

Manage payroll elements including allowances, overtime, deductions, leave encashment, loans/advances (if applicable), and final settlements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with approvals and supporting documentation.

Payroll Data Integrity & HR Coordination

Partner with HR to ensure payroll master data is accurate and controlled, including new joiners, terminations, salary changes, promotions, leave records, and employee status updates.

Payroll Audit Readiness & External Stakeholder Support

Act as the payroll focal point for internal and external audits, ensuring payroll documentation, reconciliations, and evidence packs are complete, timely, and audit-ready.

Process Improvement & Automation

Identify opportunities to improve HR and payroll processes, systems and controls. Drive continuous improvement of payroll processes, system workflows, and reporting through standardisation, automation, and elimination of manual errors and inefficiencies.

Team Supervision & Stakeholder Service

Provide HR and payroll support to senior management and contribute to workforce planning and organization initiatives.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Experience

Minimum 3–7 years of HR, payroll and finance operations experience, including payroll governance and reconciliation

Strong knowledge of UAE payroll practices and compliance requirements

Strong ERP payroll exposure and advanced Excel skill.